On Friday, Oct. 30, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, MD; Larry Bucshon, MD; Brendan Boyle; George Holding; Raul Ruiz, MD; Phil Roe, MD; Abby Finkenauer; and Roger Marshall, MD, introduced H.R. 8702, the “Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020.”
This American College of Radiology® (ACR®)-backed legislation provides a two-year reprieve from the impending reimbursement cuts resulting from evaluation and management (E/M) code changes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, while allowing important pay increases for those who frequently bill E/M, like primary care, to take effect. Absent congressional intervention, radiologists and other providers face a drastic Medicare reimbursement reduction starting Jan. 1, 2021. Implementation of these cuts would jeopardize timely patient access to vital screening and diagnostic services and a host of other services.
This critical bipartisan legislation will provide much-needed stability for Medicare providers as they continue to strive to meet the needs of patients during this public health emergency. With the legislative calendar waning, the ACR, along with a broad coalition of physician and non-physician provider organizations, are working to ensure H.R. 8702 is included in any viable year-end legislative package. ACR members are encouraged to support these efforts by completing the legislative Call to Action, which was shared with all members earlier this week.